“At every child’s birth, a mother is born.” – Genesis 1:22. Pageants like Miss America, Miss Black World Houston, or Mr. and Miss Prairie View, have strict requirements against young mothers participating and being the face of their organizations.
Fortunately, one current member of Students in Free Enterprise, Jasmine Wiggins, who has children of her own, developed a scholarship pageant for educated, hardworking, and nurturing mothers.
“Do what you do for yourself, don’t let anybody think for you,” were encouraging words from Wiggins.
The first annual Ms. Collegiate Mom pageant took place Wednesday in the Memorial Student Center Auditorium. Family, friends, and fellow students joined to honor and recognize the six mothers continuing their education at PVAMU.
The theme was “The Barbie Connection” evoking feminism and beauty, with pink, white, and purple balloons, and life size cardboard pictures of each contestant. DJ Trill, the official “Party Boyz” disc jockey was in the mix, feeding the audience smooth sounds like: Tone Toni Tony, The Isley Brothers, and Peabo Bryson.
The six contestants consisted of, Theodora Holloway, Melissa Hooper, Chasonique Peck, Josephine Robertson, Kiara Schaffer, and Lauren Taylor. The judges who made the ultimate decision were: Miss Black World Houston Clemea Donaldson, graduating senior communications major Ya’myletha White, Alumna Doctor Hope Foster, retired arts and sciences Dean William Chapman, and Dean of the chapel and Mr. PVAMU advisor Charles H. Lewter.
Opening the show, each contestant presented an inspiring introduction on how their children have impacted their lives as women and mothers. The contestants were judged in the categories campus wear, talent, eveningwear, and impromptu interview.
During the intermission, the group Derc and Jack provided entertainment with their rendition of Jill Scott’s popular song “Long Walk”, they titled their version “Long walk to Hobart”. The crowd was amused and responded with endless applause to the lovely duet.
To end the competition each young lady was saluted with a poem and flowers. The first collegiate mom to be crowned was Kiara Schaffer.
Kyle Maronie the emcee of the pageant stated, “This pageant was started to fill a void on this campus, giving young moms an opportunity to show they are role models and are still prominent in institutions as well. Jasmine the producer of the event, gave these ladies an opportunity to shine.”